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I’ve recently noted with some curiousity and concern that people around these parts seem to be posting State of Origin teams and such, with little regard to the fact that the the next representative fixtures involve City vs Country and Australia vs New Zealand.

While I have no problem with my fellow Roarers ignoring the City v Country clash, which I gather only Ricky Stuart actually plans on watching, I cannot fathom our ignorance of the upcoming ANZAC Test match.

I know New Zealand were terrible last year and I know that with Stephen Kearney again in charge, things may not be any better this time, but I still feel that this is a game with plenty to offer. So I’m here to address this by selecting my Australian and New Zealand sides.

Australia
1. Bill Slater – apologies Tim Moltzen fans, but Slater still wins the day.
2. Akuila Uate – I’m not certain whether his name is spelled correctly here, but I am certain that he will be picked.
3. Greg Inglis – his move to fullback won’t mean a thing. He gets the jersey.
4. Justin Hodges – apologies to NSW’s decent array of centres, but until one of them stands up in Origin, I’m sticking with the Queenslanders here.
5. Josh Morris – I guess? I dunno, there’s no super standout, so he’ll do.
6. Johnathon Thurston – No Lockyer, so just find the nearest Queensland playmaker to wear the six
7. Cooper Cronk – He’s no Mitchell Pearce (which is why I’ve selected him – he is not overrated)
8. Ben Hannant – because Matt Scott is hurt
9. Cameron Smith – not a shock, is it?
10. Keith Galloway – just so Phil Gould is in a good mood in commentary
11. Anthony Watmough – I do not like this guy, but he’s good at footy.
12. Sam Thaiday – legend.
13. Paul Gallen – I’d keep him at lock for a while yet.
14. Dave Taylor – with no Williams, he’s the big impact guy.
15. David Shillington – I have not seen the Raiders play this year (thanks Channel 9), but he goes OK from what I remember.
16 – Luke Lewis – I can’t really think of anyone else.
17. Todd Carney – quality utilities who can play dummy-half are thin on the ground. So I’ve selected Todd to sit on the bench, just to deprive Ricky Stuart of seeing how he combines with Mullen in City v Country.

New Zealand
1. Kevin Locke – was their best amidst the shambles of last year’s efforts.
2. Manu Vatuvei – I wanna see him running at Uate, and vice versa.
3. Kieran Foran – was poor at halfback last year and is more a ball runner, so its either centres or the bench for this glamour player.
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall – class act, great to see him back
5. Jason Nightingale – not really a Kiwi though, is he?
6. Benji Marshall – pretty obvious one.
7. Shaun Johnson – a class act. This is surely the best halves combo New Zealand have ever had, right? (with respect to Stacey Jones and Henry Paul)
8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves – smash ’em mate.
9. Isaac Luke – seems less grubby this year, which is good, cause he can play.
10. Ben Matulino – plenty of them seem injured, so I’ve picked him.
11. Simon Mannering – tackles good (and Frank Pritchard is Samoan now right?)
12. Sika Manu – pretty good
13. Jeremy Smith – also pretty good
14. Alex Glenn – can play anywhere
15. Greg Eastwood – has pulled out some great games for the Kiwis
16. Sam Rapira – if he’s fit get him in
17. Adam Blair – I forgot about him until now and to be honest, wouldn’t start with him anyway. In fact, Kevin Proctor comes very close to taking this jersey off him…

So there you have it! My extremely well considered selections for the upcoming ANZAC Test. May it please be a ripper!

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The Crowd Says (12) | Page 1 of Comments

7 NSW players, i do not think so. Also, Keith Galloway and Todd Carney should not be there and move Paul Gallen to prop. Kieran Foran would get targeted heavily in the centres, Steve Matai is a better option. Shaun Johnson’s long kicking game is not very good and does not compare to Cronk or Thurston’s long kicking game.

just wondering why your team is so heavy with warriors players and aside from sika Manu wo is injured no storm players. This team is the team that looked less than hopeless in four nations and with all this kiwi talent you choose to make no changes.

Fui Fui moi moi your joking arnt you! Parra running last obviously no from storm 6 from 6 – where’s Matthew Duffie in your team where’s Jesse Bromwich who has been a strike force for storm and as for Kevin proctor nearly taking Adam blairs jersey I now he’s ex storm but his form so far has not really been good and proctor could be what we need someone wo can give at least 60 minutes of onest hard work all ay toil – your team lacks anything new Australians probably not even gong to break a sweat

I’m sorry but your Aussie team sucks. Brett Morris should get the other wing spot with Uate. McGuire has been the standout prop for Brisbane and is in with a chance, also Gillet is in fine form. And what has Galloway done ? and Taylor ?

With NZ, Sika Manu is injured so he wont be picked, more than likely Proctor will. Duffie has been NZ’s best winger so far and should get picked. It will be interesting to see what NZ do with Foran/Johnson problem, if healthy id play both but i can’t see both getting picked.
And Rapira has played what 1 or 2 games ?

Hannant has been better than McGuire this year, but McGuire was the best prop in the competition for the last 3 rounds and finals last year. I’d have them both, Hannant starting and McGuire off the bench.

Agree on Galloway having done nothing, but he provides some size and is an incumbent from the Four Nations. McGuire is coming off the bench for Brisbane now and I think has dropped from contention – if he couldn’t get selected at the end of last year I don’t see what hope he has now. Also Josh Morris was a mistake – I meant Brett. These teams were picked without much thought and I’ve payed for that by including injured blokes and the brothers of rightful selections, but still it’s great they’ve stirred a bit of discussion about the Test anyway! To Storm Fan – I didn’t pick Moi Moi, so not sure what you’re on about. I was impressed by Bromwich tonight though, so am happy to concede that he could slip in somewhere.

Blazza
I agree with everything you wrote.
The problem that the Kiwis have is they have 3 outstanding 5/8ths and no genuine organising 7. You cant put 3 into 2 which will mean Benjy will play 7 to allow Foran in. I expect Johnson to play 6 next year which is his best position. If both Locke and Hoffman are injured maybe Johnson could be a surprise 1. No doubt he would be fabulous will all that room to move and not have to tackle much, but it seems they are looking at Ropati and Inu. Must be looking at differnt games to me.

Weyman and Scott are the form props, injuries might rule Scott out, then Shillo or hannet come into it, along with Larses and i would give Petro his final spot. He has earned the right.
Hoffman at Fullback for the Kiwis, and they have a fantastic team, really, if they dont win this one, we will all be looking forward to Origin. 🙂
Seriously, i love City country. I have watched it every year sinse it started, and i keep wondering why NSW would not support this game in the Bush, they love this game. I watch it as well, and i always wonder why thewy seem to pick on this game.
Queensland have the same, but it is nowhere near as big. Wish it was.

Next year the NRL is scrapping the one off test good move too i think. Coz NZ now cant get access to there English super league players, and the match has beam meaningless. Stick to 4 nations and world cups i say for rugby league. And bring back the Ashes vs Great Britian. And the North QLD player involved in a tug of war has now declared he wants to play for NZ. 5 days ago Tony Kemp convinced him.